Minnesota Republicans are facing criticism after holding a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd. The gesture occurred over the weekend during the Minnesota Republican Party’s annual convention in Duluth.
The moment of silence, which lasted fewer than 10 seconds, was initiated by a delegate’s request and approved by a voice vote. The decision has sparked outrage, with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison describing it as “an act of profound cruelty” to Floyd’s family and disrespectful to law enforcement. Ellison, who led the prosecution against Chauvin, expressed that the gesture dishonors Floyd’s memory and undermines accountability under the law. He stated, “To honor the man convicted of murdering George Floyd—days after the very anniversary of that terrible day—is an act of profound cruelty.”
Chauvin was convicted in 2021 of second-degree murder for kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes on May 25, 2020. He is serving a 22-and-a-half-year prison sentence and a concurrent 21-year sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights. Despite appeals, Chauvin remains in federal custody in Texas.
The moment of silence has drawn criticism from several quarters, including Democratic state lawmaker Jamie Long, who called the act “disgusting” in a post on X. Long noted that the tribute was not for victims of gun violence or fallen soldiers but for “a literal convicted murderer.”
The Minnesota Republican Party has not yet responded to requests for comment. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over Chauvin’s conviction, with some conservatives arguing he did not receive a fair trial. Calls for a pardon by President Donald Trump have been amplified by figures like Elon Musk, though such a move would not free Chauvin from prison.
Community leaders and activists gathered at the Hennepin County Government Center to protest the possibility of a pardon. Ellison apologized to Floyd’s family and officers who serve honorably, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.
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